Louisa May Alcott

Behind a Mask Louisa May Alcott

"Has she come?""No, Mamma, not yet.""I wish it were well over. The thought of it worries and excites me. A cushion for myback, Bella."And poor, peevish Mrs. Coventry sank into an easy chair with a nervous sigh and the airof a martyr, while her pretty daughter hovered about her with affectionate solicitude."Who are they talking of, Lucia?" asked the languid young man lounging on a couch nearhis cousin, who bent over her tapestry work with a happy smile on her usually haughtyface."The new governess, Miss Muir. Shall I tell you about her?""No, thank you. I have an inveterate aversion to the whole tribe. I've often thankedheaven that I had but one sister, and she a spoiled child, so that I have escaped the inflictionof a governess so long.""How will you bear it now?" asked Lucia."Leave the house while she is in it.""No, you won't. You're too lazy, Gerald," called out a younger and more energetic man, from the recess where he stood teasing his dogs